Sectionalized stack with circumferential and radial expansion means

ABSTRACT

A smokestack has axially aligned tubular sections. Each section has concentric inner and outer walls. Accordion-like circumferential flanges on the inner wall of each section permit relative axial expansion and contraction of the walls. Other accordion-like circumferential flanges between the inner and outer walls permit relative radial and circumferential expansion and contraction of the walls. Dynamic vibration absorbers are provided at the base of the smokestack. The sections are reinforced by flexible internal braces located in the air space between the inner and outer walls, and secured to the circumferential flanges.

United States Patent Lawrence, deceased [451 June 13, 1972 [54] SECTIONALIZED STACK WITH CIRCUMFERENTIAL AND RADIAL EXPANSION MEANS [72] Inventor: Richard E. Lawrence, deceased, late of 22 Glenwood Road, Roslyn, NY. 11576 Eileen Lawrence, executrix, 22 Glenwood s .EQeLE9 l1L -X;L1 7 [22] Filed: April 10, 1970 [21] Appl.No.: 27,355

[52] U.S.Cl ..ll0/184,98/48,98/60 s1 Int.C| ..F23jll/00 [58] FieldofSearch ..110/l84;98/46,60;126/307 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,363,591 l/1968 Lawrence "110/184 Primary Examiner-Kenneth W. Sprague Attorney-Kelman and Berman (agents) 57 ABSTRACT A smokestack has axially aligned tubular sections. Each section has concentric inner and outer walls. Accordion-like circumferential flanges on the inner wall of each section permit relative axial expansion and contraction of the walls. Other accordion-like circumferential flanges between the inner and outer walls permit relative radial and circumferential expansion and contraction of the walls. Dynamic vibration absorbers are provided at the base of the smokestack. The sections are reinforced by flexible internal braces located in the air space between the inner and outer walls, and secured to the circumferential flanges.

8 Claims, 14 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJUN 13 I972 3,689 O42 sum 1 OF 3 JEFF-5- INVENTOR. I.- Z RICHARD E. LAWRENCE BY7WW ATTORNEYS PATENTEDJUH 13 I972 SHEET 2 OF 3 INVENTOR. RICHARD'" E. LAWRENCE ATTOR N EYS PATENTEnJuu 13 m2 SHEET 30F 3 INVENTOR.

RICHARD E. LAWRENCE ATTORNEYS 1 SECTIONALIZED STACK WITH CIRCUMFERENTIAL AND RADIAL EXPANSION MEANS This invention relates to the art of smokestack construction, and more particularly concerns-a stack having tubular sections with double walls provided with means to permit relative radial and circumferential expansion between the walls.

The invention involves improvements over those described in my prior U.S.. Pat. Nos. 3,302,599, 3,363,591, 3,368,506 and 3,487,795. In those prior patents I described steel smokestacks having double wall construction with a sealed dead air spaced between the double walls to eliminate condensation and destructive corrosion of the steel walls. I further described means to permit relative longitudinal expansion and contraction of the inner and outer walls.

In the present invention, the smokestacks are further improved by means enabling relative circumferential and radial expansion of the double walls of the stack sections. Further, there are provided vibration dampening supports at the base of the stack. Other improvements involve flexible internal brace rods or cables between the walls of the double sections.

Other and further features, objects and advantages of the invention are explained in detail in the following description taken together with the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a multiple section stack embodying the invention, shown mounted on a massive base parts being broken away to show internal construction.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on line 2-2 ofFlG. l.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view looking upward and taken on line '3-3 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a further enlarged fragmentarysectional view taken on line 4--4 ofFlG. 3.

' FIG. 5 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view taken on line 5-5 of FIG. 1. r I

FIG. 6 and FIG. 6A are further enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional views taken on lines 6-6 and 6A--6A of FIG. 5.

FIG. 6B is a sectional view similar to FIG. 6 showing another internal brace construction. J

FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 are fragmentary horizontal sectional views taken on lines 77 and 8-8 respectively of FIG. 6.

FIG. 7A is a, fragmentary further enlarged sectional view taken on line 7A-7A of FIG.6.

FIG. 9 is a horizontal sectional view similar to FIG. 3 of another stack. g

FIG. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical. sectional view taken on line 10-10 ofFlG. 9. i I

, F IO. 11 is anotherfragmentary vertical sectional view taken on line 11-41 ofFlG. l0. I v Referring first to FIG. 1, there is shown a stack comprising a plurality of axially aligned joined sections 22, 23, 24. Only three sections are shown but it will be understood that stack may have one, two three or more sections. Center section 23 is typical of the others and will be described in detail first with particular reference to FIGS. 5-8. Section 23 has concentric outer and inner cylindrical steel walls 26, 28. Welded to the outer side of outer wall 26 and extending longitudinally from end to end are flanges or strakes 30. These ribs are spaced circumferentially apart all around wall 26. These flanges increase the rigidity of the outer wall and also improve the appearance of the stack since they simulate architectural flutes of a column. A principal purpose of these strakes is to create. a spoiler action against the forces of dynamic vibration. The flanges or strakes 30 have the same coefficient of thermal expansion as wall 26 and expand and contract with this wall both .longitudinally and circumferentially. V

The inner wall 28 is formed of three tubular parts 32, 34 and 36. These parts are axially aligned. Upper part 32 is joined to intermediate part 34 by a flexible, circumferential accordionlike folded flange ring 38. Part 34 is joined to lower part 36 by a similar flexible, circumferential accordion-like flange 40. By this arrangement the parts of the inner wall can expand and contract relative to each other axially, and the inner and outer walls can also expand and contract relative to each other axially. The inner and outer walls are joined by flange assemblies 500 and 50b at upper and lower ends respectively. Each flange assembly 50a comprises an outer flat annular flange 52 welded to the upper end of wall 26. An inner flat annular flange 54 is welded to the upper end of wall part 32 and to the upper end of inner tubular reinforcing and sealing flange ring 56. Flange 56 nests snugly inside part 32 and extends downwardly just beyond flange 38 and the uppermost end of part 34. Four flat flanges 58 extend radially outward from part 32 and are engaged by bolts 59 and nuts 60 with four radial flanges 62 extending inwardly from wall 26. Flanges 58 are provided with vertical elongated holes or slots 64 which intersect horizontal elongated holes or slots 66 in flanges 62. The flanges 58 are laterally abutted to flanges 62 respectively and the bolts extend through the intersecting holes; see FIG. 7A.

The outer annular'flange 52 and inner coplanar annular flange 54 are connected by a flexible, circumferential folded accordion-like flange ring 68.

The lower flange assembly 50b is similar to the upper assembly 5011. An outer flat annular flange 52' is welded to the bottom end of wall 26. A coplanar inner annular flange 54 is welded to the lower end of wall part 36 and to the lower end of an inner tubular reinforcing and sealing flange 56'. Flexible accordion-like circumferential flange ring 68' connects flanges 52' and 54. Flange ring 56 nests snugly inside part 36 and extends upwardly just beyond accordion-like flange 40 and the lowermost end of part 34. Four flat flanges 58' extend radially outward from part '36 and-are engaged by bolts 59 and nuts 60' with four radial flanges 62 extending inwardly from wall 26. Flanges 58' and 62 have crossed vertical and horizontal slots receiving bolts 59.

A plurality of flexible brace rods 70 is provided inside hermetically closed space S between the walls 26, 28. These rods have two parts 71, 72 respectively welded to upper flanges 52 and lower flanges 54' and cross space S diagonally as best shown in FIG. 6A. The two parts of the rod are joined by mutually links 74, 75 to permit relative circumferential and axial movement between walls 26, 28.

Flanges 52and 52 have the same coeflicient of thermal expansion as outer wall wall26 and may be made of the same kind of steel. Inner flanges 54, 54 have the same coefficient of thermal expansion as wall parts 32 and 36 and may be made of the same kind of steel. Walls 26 and 28 will in general be made of different kinds of steel. The inner wall 28 will be best adapted to withstand continuous temperatures as highly as 2,000 F. and will be high resistant to corrosion by acid products of combustion. The outer wall 26 will be adapted to withstand external atmospheric conditions and weather changes.

Flanges 52 and 52 extend radially outward of wall 26. The lower flange 52' of an upper section of the stack 20 can be abutted to the upper flange 52 of a lower section and secured by bolts or rivets see FIGS. 7 and 8. A suitable moisture proof sealing compound can be applied to the joints of flanges 50, 52 to seal them hermetically. Flanges 54 and 54 extend radially inward of tubular flanges 38, 40. The flat annular flange 54 at the lower end of each upper section of the stack will be abutted to the flange 54 at the upper end of the next lower section. Bolts or rivets 82 will be used to secure these flanges together.

By the arrangement so far described, the several sections of the stack can expand axially, radially and circumferentially with respect to each other. They are also adapted to sway laterally and twist. torsionally when subjected to very severe wind and weather conditions.

FIGS. 1 through 4 further illustrate a dynamic vibration dampening mounting assembly for the stack associated with the lowermost stack section 24. The stack rests on a flat concrete base block 100. A flat annular flange 102 is welded to the outer side of outer wall 26 near its bottom end. Another flange 104 is welded to this outer Wall 26' and inner wall 28 at their bottom ends and made parallel to flange 102.

A flat, resilient energy absorption pad 106 which will absorb the energy generated by the forces of dynamic vibration is disposed under flange 104. A flat, rigid annular leveling plate or ring 108 is disposed under pad 106. Bolts 110 extend through the flanges 102 and 104, pad 106 and ring 108 and are anchored in concrete base block 100. Nuts 112 are engaged on the upper ends of bolts 110.

Vibration dampeners 125 are further provided at the lower end of the stack. Each vibration dampener comprises a cylindrical housing 126. A piston rod 128 extends through closed end wall 130 and is anchored to outer wall 26 of stack section 24 by a bracket 132, pivotal hinge 134 and bolt 136, see FIGS. 3 and 4. The rod 128 terminates just beyond a plate piston 138 in housing 126 and is engaged by a nut 140. Energy vibration absorbtion pads 142 on rod 128 serves as a vibration absorbing means. The other end of housing 126 is secured by a turnbuckle 144 to a hinge 146 pivotally secured by a bolt 148 to anchoring beam 150 extending between the roof 152 of base enclosure 154 and the bottom floor 156 of the enclosure and located close to the underside of the roof. Four such vibration dampeners are circumferentially spaced around the stack.

The uppermost section 22 of the stack 20 as shown in FIG. 1, is basically the same as the lower stack sections 23 and 24, except that the upper stack section 22 terminates in an imperforate top flange 52" closing space S, since no other sections are to be bolted to this top section.

FIG. 6B shows part of a stack 20A which is generally similar to stack 20 as shown in FIG. 6A, and corresponding parts are identically numbered. A flexible cable 70a replaces each brace rod 70 for internally bracing the sections of the stack. Opposite ends of the cables are secured between upper flanges 52 and lower flanges 54.

FIGS. 9, l and 11 show another mounting assembly which can be used in place of the arrangement shown in FIG. 3. Here the stack B is provided with vibration dampening assemblies 125a spaced circumferentially apart around the stack. T- plates 160 are secured to the outer side of outer wall 260 of lowermost stack section 24a. The radially extending flange 162 of each T-plate has an elongated vertical slot or hole 164. This flange is disposed between vertical flanges 166 forming parts of a bracket 168. Each flange 166 has a horizontal elongated slot or hole 170. Resilient heat resistant, vibration absorbing pads 172 are disposed between flange 162 and flanges 166. Further pads 174 are disposed on outer sides of flanges 166. Bolts 175 extend through holes in the flanges and pads and are secured by nut 176 between end washers 180 abutting outer pads 174. Brackets 168 are secured by rivets 182 to support plates 184 welded to a metal ring 186 lining hole 187 in the roof 1520 of the base enclosure of the stack. Anchor bolts I90 extend radially outwardly from ring 186 into the roof to reinforce the mounting structure.

By the arrangement of FIGS. 1-1l, the stack has a floating support which permits lateral swaying and twisting movements of the stack. Vibration is absorbed effectively by the resilient joint structure.

In all forms of the invention described, the stack is adapted for limited lateral, radial, circumferential, axial and torsional movements under all kinds of adverse and/or changing weather and temperature conditions. The stacks can be erected on or adjacent to buildings and connected by conventional breeching to boilers, exhaust systems and the like.

What is claimed is:

1. A smokestack for the conveyance of hot gases comprising:

a. a plurality of elongated tubular sections having respective longitudinal axes and being connected in axial alignment,

1. each section including inner and outer axial walls defining a dead air space therebetween,

2. said inner wall including a circumferential accordionlike fold to compensate for differences in axial thermal expansion of said walls,

3. each section further including a radial flange at each axial end thereof, said radial flange connecting said inner and outer walls and axially bounding said dead air space,

4. each of said radial flanges including a circumferential, accordion-like fold to compensate for differences in radial and circumferential expansion of said walls; and

b. fastening means fastening said radial flanges of axially juxtaposed sections to each other.

2. A smokestack as defined in claim 1, further comprising further flat flanges extending radially inwardly of the outer wall and outwardly of the inner wall, said further flanges being laterally juxtaposed, and slip joint means connecting said further flanges to permit relative axial, radial and circumferential expansion and contraction of the inner and outer walls.

3. A smokestack as defined in claim 1, further comprising radially projecting, circumferentially spaced ribs on the outer wall of each section axially extending from end to end thereof.

4. A smokestack for the conveyance of hot gases comprising:

a. a plurality of elongated tubular sections having respective longitudinal axes and being connected in axial alignment,

1. each section including inner and outer axial walls defining a dead air space therebetween,

2. said inner wall including a circumferential accordionlike fold to compensate for differences in axial thermal expansion of said walls,

3. each section further including a radial flange at each axial end thereof, said radial flange connecting said inner and outer walls and axially bounding said dead air space,

4. an elongated brace member secured in said dead air space to said outer wall adjacent one of said radial flanges and to said inner wall adjacent the other radial flange; and

b. fastening means fastening said sections to each other in said axial alignment.

5. A smokestack for the conveyance of hot gases comprising:

a. a support;

b. a plurality of elongated tubular sections having respective vertically extending longitudinal axes and being connected in axial alignment above said support,

1. each section including inner and outer axial walls defining a dead air space therebetween,

2. said inner wall including a circumferential accordionlike fold to compensate for differences in axial thermal expansion of said walls,

3. each section further including a radial flange at each axial end thereof, said radial flange connecting said inner and outer walls and axially bounding said dead air space; and

c. a vibration absorbing pad interposed between the lowermost of said sections and said support.

A smokestack for the conveyance of hot gases comprisa. a stationary support;

a plurality of elongated tubular sections having respective vertically extending longitudinal axes and being connected in axial alignment horizontally adjacent said support,

1. each section including inner and outer axial walls defining a dead air space therebetween,

2. said inner wall including a circumferential accordionlike fold to compensate for differences in axial thermal expansion of said walls,

3. each section further including a radial flange at each axial end thereof, said radial flange connecting said inner and outer walls and axially bounding said dead air space; and c. resilient vibration absorbing means connecting one of said sections to said support. 7. A smokestack as defined in claim 6, further comprising other stationary support means underneath said aligned secsorbing pad in said casing, and connecting means connecting said piston and said casing to said one section and said support respectively for moving said piston against the restraint of said pad in said casing when said one section moves relative to said support. 

1. A smokestack for the conveyance of hot gases comprising: a. a plurality of elongated tubular sections having respective longitudinal axes and being connected in axial alignment,
 1. each section including inner and outer axial walls defining a dead air space therebetween,
 2. said inner wall including a circumferential accordion-like fold to compensate for differences in axial thermal expansion of said walls,
 3. each section further including a radial flange at each axial end thereof, said radial flange connecting said inner and outer walls and axially bounding said dead air space,
 4. each of said radial flanges including a circumferential, accordion-like fold to compensate for differences in radial and circumferential expansion of said walls; and b. fastening means fastening said radial flanges of axially juxtaposed sections to each other.
 2. A smokestack as defined in claim 1, further comprising further flat flanges extending radially inwardly of the outer wall and outwardly of the inner wall, said further flanges being laterally juxtaposed, and slip joint means connecting said further flanges to permit relative axial, radial and circumferential expansion and contraction of the inner and outer walls.
 2. said inner wall including a circumferential accordion-like fold to compensate for differences in axial thermal expansion of said walls,
 2. said inner wall including a circumferential accordion-like fold to compensate for differences in axial thermal expansion of said walls,
 2. said inner wall including a circumferential accordion-like fold to compensate for differences in axial thermal expansion of said walls,
 2. said inner wall including a circumferential accordion-like fold to compensate for differEnces in axial thermal expansion of said walls,
 3. each section further including a radial flange at each axial end thereof, said radial flange connecting said inner and outer walls and axially bounding said dead air space; and c. a vibration absorbing pad interposed between the lowermost of said sections and said support.
 3. each section further including a radial flange at each axial end thereof, said radial flange connecting said inner and outer walls and axially bounding said dead air space; and c. resilient vibration absorbing means connecting one of said sections to said support.
 3. each section further including a radial flange at each axial end thereof, said radial flange connecting said inner and outer walls and axially bounding said dead air space,
 3. each section further including a radial flange at each axial end thereof, said radial flange connecting said inner and outer walls and axially bounding said dead air space,
 3. A smokestack as defined in claim 1, further comprising radially projecting, circumferentially spaced ribs on the outer wall of each section axially extending from end to end thereof.
 4. A smokestack for the conveyance of hot gases comprising: a. a plurality of elongated tubular sections having respective longitudinal axes and being connected in axial alignment,
 4. each of said radial flanges including a circumferential, accordion-like fold to compensate for differences in radial and circumferential expansion of said walls; and b. fastening means fastening said radial flanges of axially juxtaposed sections to each other.
 4. an elongated brace member secured in said dead air space to said outer wall adjacent one of said radial flanges and to said inner wall adjacent the other radial flange; and b. fastening means fastening said sections to each other in said axial alignment.
 5. A smokestack for the conveyance of hot gases comprising: a. a support; b. a plurality of elongated tubular sections having respective vertically extending longitudinal axes and being connected in axial alignment above said support,
 6. A smokestack for the conveyance of hot gases comprising: a. a stationary support; b. a plurality of elongated tubular sections having respective vertically extending longitudinal axes and being connected in axial alignment horizontally adjacent said support,
 7. A smokestack as defined in claim 6, further comprising other stationary support means underneath said aligned sections, and a vibration absorbing pad disposed between the lowermost section and said support means.
 8. A smokestack as defined in claim 6, wherein said vibration absorbing means include a plurality of vibration absorbing elements angularly offset about said longitudinal axes, each element including a casing, a piston and a vibration absorbing pad in said casing, and connecting means connecting said piston and said casing to said one section and said support respectively for moving said piston against the restraint of said pad in said casing when said one section moves relative to said support. 